Saturday is a day to celebrate the thousands of small business owners who work hard to provide a unique shopping experience.

Unlike Black Friday or Cyber Monday – days reserved for big box stores, mega malls and online shopping — Small Business Saturday encourages shoppers to patronize small local businesses.

“It’s been building,” said Kelly Havin, owner of Shine, 621 S. Washington, in downtown Royal Oak. “I know people will have added stuff in their store. The big day is Saturday. We want to show our appreciation for coming in and shopping small.

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“People are starting to realize that shopping local is great for their communities. All the businesses are doing something special throughout downtown Royal Oak.”

Shine is a beautiful gift store and lifestyle boutique that has been part of the downtown Royal Oak landscape for nearly seven years.

“We want to show our appreciation for coming in and shopping small,” Havin said. “I think every year it is building, (people are) starting to realize that shopping local is great for their communities.

“We have something for everyone,” she continued. “We’re doing free gift wrapping, and we have children’s items and home décor and a lot of personal items.”

“Some stores give out free gifts with purchases, some stores will serve treats, (or) do something special,” Havin said of the many stores throughout the city. “It should be a nice variety of places to shop.”

Linda Isrow, owner of Stella Boutique, 110 W. Fourth St. in downtown Royal Oak, thinks of Small Business Saturday as a day for “supporting the community.”

“If everyone goes to the mall, you won’t have small places to shop anymore,” Isrow said. “We are working hard to keep our stores open.

“Get on Main Street – not in the mall … unless people want their downtowns closed up.”

Kent Alverson, of Lift Designer Toys at 228 W. Fourth St. in downtown Royal Oak, is another small business owner who encourages folks to support local businesses.

“There are a thousand big box toy stores,” Alverson said.

He called big stores “cookie cutter” and then dared other stores to come close to the mix of products he carries at his small Royal Oak business.

“A small toy store is something you have to experience,” Alverson said. “Sometimes you get people who come to us because they can’t find what they’re looking for at the big stores.”

Gary Baglio, president of the Royal Oak Association of Retailers and owner of Five 15 Media Mojo & More in Royal Oak, said Small Business Saturday is about supporting downtown businesses across the area.

“It’s an opportunity to discover the numerous independent retailers and support small business owners,” Baglio said.

ROAR, in partnership with the Royal Oak Downtown Development Association and Royal Oak Restaurant Association, has an end of the year promotion where some lucky Royal Oak shoppers will win the contents of a “Wonder Window” located at Write Impressions, 407 S. Washington Ave. in downtown Royal Oak. The promotion runs through the end of December and winners will be announced in January.

“Every time someone spends $50 in a retail shop, their name is submitted into a drawing to win prizes in the Wonder Window,” Baglio said.